Liquid crystal display apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an LCD apparatus having a reduced size and weight. The LCD apparatus includes a bottom chassis having a bottom surface and first to fourth sidewalls. The sidewall of the bottom chassis includes a supporting member for preventing a light guiding plate from being moved and a fixing boss for fixing an optical sheet. The bottom chassis includes a lamp insertion portion for receiving a lamp unit, which is disposed on the third and fourth sidewalls of the bottom chassis. The bottom chassis receives a reflecting plate, the light guiding plate and the optical sheet. A mold frame is coupled to the bottom chassis to fix the reflecting plate, the light guiding plate and the optical sheet to the bottom chassis. A display unit disposed on the mold frame is fixed to the mold frame by a top chassis coupled to the mold frame. Accordingly, a bottom mold frame for receiving a backlight assembly is removed, so that it is able to reduce a cost of the LCD apparatus and a weight thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)apparatus, and more particularly to an LCD apparatus having a reducedsize and weight.

2. Description of the Related Art

Information processing devices have developed to include various shapesand functions with rapid data processing speed. In such informationprocessing devices, processed information in the form of an electricsignal requires a display device as an interface.

A liquid crystal display apparatus having a light weight and a compactsize, as compared with a CRT type display device, has been developed toachieve full-color and high-resolution functions. Generally, the liquidcrystal display apparatus changes an arrangement of liquid crystalmolecules into a specific arrangement by applying a voltage to theliquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal display apparatus convertsvariations in optical properties, such as birefringence, opticallinearity, dichroism and light scattering features of liquid crystalcells, which emit light due to the specific arrangement, into variationsin visual properties, thereby displaying an image.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional LCD andFIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled structure of theLCD shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the LCD 100 includes a front case 110, a topchassis 120, an LCD module 130, a bottom chassis 140, a bottom moldframe 150 and a rear case 160.

The LCD module 130 includes a backlight assembly 134 for emitting alight, a middle mold frame 133 and a display unit 132 for displaying animage in response to the light emitted from the backlight assembly 134.The display unit 132 includes an LCD panel 132 a, data and gate PCBs 132f and data and gate TCP (Tape Carrier Package) 132 e and 132 d.

The LCD panel 132 includes a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) substrate 132 b,a color filter substrate 132 c facing the TFT substrate 132 b and aliquid crystal (not shown) interposed therebetween.

The TFT substrate 132 b is a transparent glass substrate on which TFTsare arranged in a matrix shape. The color filter substrate 132 cincludes RGB pixels that are formed by a thin film process to presentdesired colors in response to the light. Common electrodes made of ITO(Indium Tin Oxide) are disposed on an entire surface of the color filtersubstrate 132 c.

When a power is applied to gate and source terminals of TFTs arranged onthe TFT substrate 132 b, the TFTs are turned on so that an electricfield is generated between pixel electrodes and the common electrodes ofthe color filter substrate 132 c. The electric field varies an aligningangle of the liquid crystal interposed between the TFT substrate 132 band the color filter substrate 132 c. Accordingly, a light transmittanceis varied according to the variation of the aligning angle of the liquidcrystal, so a desired image can be obtained. In order to control thealigning angle and the aligning time of the liquid crystal in the LCDpanel 132, driving and timing signals are applied to the gate and datalines of the TFTs.

The backlight assembly 134 is provided below the display unit 132 so asto uniformly supply the light into the display unit 132. The backlightassembly 134 includes lamp units 134 c and 134 d for emitting the light,a light guiding plate 134 b for changing a path of the light whileguiding the light to the display unit 132, a plurality of optical sheets134 a for allowing a brightness of the light emitted from the lightguiding plate 134 b to be uniform, and a reflecting plate 134 e disposedbelow the light guiding plate 134 b to reflect the light leaked from thelight guiding plate 134 b to the light guiding plate 134 b, therebyimproving the optical efficiency.

The backlight assembly 134 is received in the bottom chassis 140 and thebottom chassis 140 is combined with the bottom mold frame 150.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an LCD apparatus having a reduced sizeand weight.

The present invention also provides an LCD apparatus having a reducednumber of component.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided an LCD apparatuscomprising: a displaying means for receiving a light and displaying animage; a light guiding means for guiding the light to the displayingmeans; a brightness increasing means for increasing a brightness of thelight guided by the light guiding means; a receiving means having abottom surface, four sidewalls and at least one first supporting memberdisposed on at least one sidewall, for sequentially receiving the lightguiding means and the brightness increasing means, the first supportingmember being inwardly extended to guide the light guiding means to areceiving position; and a fixing means coupled to the receiving means,for fixing the light guiding means and the brightness increasing meansto the receiving means.

In another aspect, there is provided an LCD apparatus comprising: alight generating means for generating a light; a displaying means forreceiving the light and displaying an image using a liquid crystaldisposed therein; a light guiding means for guiding the light to thedisplaying means; a brightness increasing means for increasing abrightness of the light and providing the light to the displaying means;a receiving means having a bottom surface, four sidewalls and at leastone first supporting member disposed on at least one sidewall, forsequentially receiving the light generating means, the light guidingmeans and the brightness increasing means, the first supporting memberbeing inwardly extended to guide the light guiding means to a receivingposition; and a fixing means having a second supporting member coupledto the first supporting member, for fixing the light generating means,the light guiding means and the brightness increasing means to thereceiving means.

According to the present invention, the bottom chassis receives thebacklight assembly, so that a bottom mold frame for receiving thebacklight assembly is removed. Thus, it is able to reduce amanufacturing cost and weight of the LCD apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other advantages of the present invention will becomereadily apparent with reference to the following detailed descriptionand the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional LCD;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled structure of theLCD shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an LCD according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing optical sheets shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a structure of a light guidingplate shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a structure of a bottom chassisaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view showing an assembledstructure of a backlight assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a structure of a mold frame shown in FIG.3;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a detailed structure of the moldframe shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partially cut cross-sectional view showing a structure ofthe bottom chassis shown in FIG. 6 assembled with the mold frame shownin FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a structure of a bottom chassisaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a structure of a reflecting plateshown in FIG. 3 assembled with the light guiding plate shown in FIG. 11;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views showing a structure of a rear surface of thebottom chassis shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a structure of a rear surface of a moldframe corresponding to the bottom chassis shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing receiving and fixingstructures of the backlight assembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing receiving and fixingstructures of a display unit shown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are views illustrating a PCB cover according to thepresent invention; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a structure of a bottom chassisaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an LCD according to thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the LCD includes a front case 200, an LCD module300 for displaying an image in response to an image signal from anexternal and a rear case 400. The front case 200 is combined with therear case 400 and the LCD module 300 is disposed between the front andrear cases 200 and 400.

The LCD module 300 includes a top chassis 310, a display unit 320, amold frame 330, an optical sheet 340, a light guiding plate 350, areflecting plate 360 and a bottom chassis 370. The top chassis 310 isdisposed between the front case 200 and the display unit 320.

The display unit 320 includes an LCD panel, a gate TCP 323, a data TCP324 and an integrated PCB 325. The LCD panel includes a color filtersubstrate 321, a TFT substrate 322 and a liquid crystal (not shown).

The TFT substrate 322 is a transparent glass substrate on which TFTs arearranged in a matrix shape. Data lines are connected to source terminalsof the TFTs and gate lines are connected to gate terminals of the TFTs.Pixel electrodes made of, for example, ITO are connected to drainterminals of the TFTs. When a power is applied to the data and gatelines, the power is supplied to the source and gate terminals of theTFTs, respectively, so that the TFTs are turned on or turned off so asto supply the power to the drain terminals.

The color filter substrate 321 faces the TFT substrate 322. The colorfilter substrate 321 includes RGB pixels that may be formed by a thinfilm process and emit desired colors by a light. Common electrodes madeof, for example, ITO are disposed on an entire surface of the colorfilter substrate 321.

When the power is applied to the gate and source terminals of TFTsarranged on the TFT substrate 322, the TFTs are turned on so that anelectric field is generated between the pixel electrodes and the commonelectrodes of the color filter substrate 321. The electric field variesan aligning angle of the liquid crystal interposed between the TFTsubstrate 322 and the color filter substrate 321. Accordingly, a lighttransmittance is varied according to the variation of the aligning angleof the liquid crystal, so a desired image can be obtained. In order tocontrol the aligning angle and the aligning time of the liquid crystalin the LCD panel, driving and timing signals are applied to the gate anddata lines of the TFTs.

The integrated PCB 325 includes a first driving circuit which drives thegate lines of the LCD panel and is connected to the gate TCP 323 and asecond driving circuit which drives the data lines of the LCD panel andis connected to the data TCP 324. Line patterns that provide drivingsignals for the gate lines to the LCD panel are printed on the gate TCP323. The integrated PCB 325 is connected to one side of the LCD panelthrough the data TCP 324. Since the integrated PCB 325 is formed byintegrating driving circuits of a gate PCB and a data PCB on one printedcircuit board, a high density mounting technique is required to mountthe driving circuits on the printed circuit board. By using a COG (ChipOn Glass) technique, parts of the gate and data driving circuits aredirectly wire-bonded or bumped on the printed circuit board in a chipstate or a part state, instead of a package state.

As shown in FIG. 3, the data TCP 324, which is a kind of a flexibleprinted circuit board, is attached to the source side of the LCD panelto determine the timing for applying a data driving signal and the gateTCP 323 is attached to the gate side of the LCD panel to determine thetiming for applying a gate driving signal. The integrated PCB 325 isconnected to the data TCP 324 positioned in a data line side of the LCDpanel so as to respectively apply the driving signals to the gate linesand the data lines in response to the image signal from the external ofthe LCD panel. The integrated PCB 325 includes a source part forreceiving an image signal from an external information processing device(not shown) such as a computer and applying the data driving signal tothe LCD panel and a gate part for applying the gate driving signal tothe gate lines of the LCD panel.

That is, the integrated PCB 325 generates signals for driving the LCDapparatus, such as the gate driving signal and the data driving signal,and a plurality of timing signals for timely applying the gate and datadriving signals. The gate driving signal is applied to the gate lines ofthe LCD panel through the gate TCP 323 and the data driving signal isapplied to the data lines of the LCD panel through the data TCP 324.

The mold frame 330 supports the display unit 320 and guides the opticalsheet 340, the light guiding plate 350 and the reflecting plate 360 toproper positions by combining with the bottom chassis 370. The opticalsheet 340 increases a brightness of the light emitted from the lightguiding plate 350 disposed thereunder.

The light guiding plate 350 includes a first lamp unit 352 and a secondlamp unit 354. The light guiding plate 350 changes an optical path whileguiding the light emitted from the first and second lamp units 352 and354 and provides the light to the display unit 320 through the opticalsheet 340. The first lamp unit 352 is disposed adjacent to a first endportion of the light guiding plate 350 and the second lamp unit 354 isdisposed adjacent to a second end portion of the light guiding plate 350opposite the first end portion. Each of the first and second lamp units352 and 354 includes a lamp for generating the light and a, lamp coverfor covering the lamp. A CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) may beused as the lamp. The lamp cover reflects the light emitted from thelamp toward the light guiding plate 350 to increase a condensingefficiency of the light. The first and second lamp units 352 and 354 arereceived in a space provided at opposing sidewalls of the bottom chassis370 as shown in FIG. 7 and provide the light to sidewalls of the lightguiding plate 350.

The reflecting plate 360 reflects the light leaked from the lightguiding plate 350 toward the light guiding plate 350.

The bottom chassis 370 includes a projection for fixing the opticalsheet 340 and a boss for fixing the light guiding plate 350. The bottomchassis 370 sequentially receives the reflecting plate 360, the lightguiding plate 350 and the optical sheet 340 and is combined with themold frame 330. The bottom chassis 370 is made of a conductive materialsuch as a metal or a metal alloy, so that heat generated from the firstand second lamp units 352 and 354 easily diffused to the externalthrough the bottom chassis 370. Thus, it is able to prevent the LCDapparatus from being damaged by the heat generated from the first andsecond lamp units 352 and 354.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing optical sheets shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, each of the optical sheets 340 includes first,second and third fixing portions 342, 344 and 346. The first fixingportion 342 is extended from a first end portion of each of the opticalsheets 340 and the second and third fixing portions 344 and 346 areextended from a second end portion of each of the optical sheets 340.The first to third fixing portions 342, 344 and 346 include first,second and third fixing holes 342 a, 344 a and 346 a, respectively. Asshown in FIG. 4, a number of fixing portions disposed on the first endportion of the optical sheet 340 can be different from a number offixing portions disposed on the second end portion thereof, whichfacilitates an assembly process for the optical sheet 340 and the bottomchassis 370.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a structure of a light guidingplate shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 5, the light guiding plate 350 has a flat shape havinga size corresponding to the LCD panel of the display unit 320 and auniform thickness. The light guiding plate 350 is made of a transparentmaterial, for example, a transparent plastic resin such as an acrylicresin. Where a lamp unit is disposed adjacent to both ends of the lightguiding plate 350, the light guiding plate 350 is formed in a flat shapehaving a constant thickness and where the lamp unit is disposed adjacentto only one end of the light guiding plate 350, the light guiding plate350 is formed in a wedge shape having a varied thickness.

The light guiding plate 350 includes first and second guide grooves 350a and 350 b having a laid U-shape, which are respectively recessed by apredetermined depth from both ends of the light guiding plate 350. Thefirst and second guide grooves 350 a and 350 b prevent the light guidingplate 350 received in the bottom chassis 370 from being moved. Thenumber and the position of the first and second guide grooves 350 a and350 b depend on a number and a position of the fixing boss provided atthe bottom chassis 370. The light guiding plate 350 includes a dotpattern (not shown) printed on a rear surface of the light guiding plate350. The dot pattern reflects the light incident from the first andsecond lamp units 352 and 354 toward the display unit 320.

The reflecting plate 360 is disposed under the light guiding plate 350as shown in FIG. 3. The reflecting plate 360 reflects the light leakedfrom the light guiding plate 350 toward the light guiding plate 350 soas to increase an availability of the light emitted from the first andsecond lamp units 352 and 354. The reflecting plate 360 may have a shapeidentical to that of the light guiding plate 350.

The optical sheet 340 having a plurality of optical sheets is disposedon the light guiding plate 350 to enhance a uniformity of the brightnessof the light from the light guiding plate 350. The optical sheet 340diffuses the light emitted from the light guiding plate 350 andcondenses the diffused light in a direction perpendicular to the LCDpanel.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a structure of a bottom chassisaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 7 is apartially exploded perspective view showing an assembled structure of abacklight assembly according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the bottom chassis 370 includes a bottom surfaceand four sidewalls 510, 520, 530 and 540 to provide a receiving space.The bottom chassis 370 sequentially receives the reflecting plate 360,the light guiding plate 350 and the optical sheet 340 in the receivingspace. Two sidewalls among the four sidewalls of the bottom chassis 370are defined as a first sidewall 510 and a second sidewall 520, which areparallel to each other in a width direction of the bottom chassis 370.Two sidewalls among the four sidewalls of the bottom chassis 370 aredefined as a third sidewall 530 and a fourth sidewall 540, which areparallel to each other in a length direction of the bottom chassis 370.The bottom chassis 370 includes a plurality of engaging holes 510 a, 510b, 520 a, 520 b, 530 a, 530 b, 530 c, 530 d, 540 a, 540 b, 540 c and 540d.

The bottom chassis 370 includes a first supporting member 2510 and asecond supporting member 2520 disposed on the first and second sidewalls510 and 520, respectively. The first and second supporting members 2510and 2520 are inwardly extended from the first and second sidewalls 510and 520 to be coupled with the first and second guide grooves 350 a and350 b, respectively.

The first supporting member 2510 includes a first member 2512 inwardlyextended from the first sidewall 510, a second member 2514 extended fromthe first sidewall 510, spacing apart from the first member 2512 and athird member 2516 extended between the first and second members 2512 and2514 to provide a first engaging hole 2518.

The second supporting member 2520 includes a fourth member 2522 inwardlyextended from the second sidewall 520, a fifth member 2524 extended fromthe second sidewall 520, spacing apart from the fourth member 2522 and asixth member 2526 extended between the fourth and fifth members 2522 and2524 to provide a second engaging hole 2528.

The first and second supporting members 2510 and 2520 are formed bypartially bending the first and second sidewalls 510 and 520 towardinside. An interval between the bottom surface of the bottom chassis 370and the first and second supporting members 2510 is smaller than athickness of the light guiding plate 350.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a structure of a mold frame shown in FIG.3.

Referring to FIG. 8, the mold frame 330 has a rectangular shape andreceives the LCD panel of the display unit 320. Upper and lower surfacesof the mold frame 330 are opened to partially expose the LCD panel. Themold frame 330 includes a plurality of engaging projections 330 i, 330j, 330 k, 330 l, 330 d, 330 c, 330 b, 330 a, 330 h, 330 g, 330 f and 330e corresponding to the engaging holes 510 a, 510 b, 520 a, 520 b, 530 a,530 b, 530 c, 530 d, 540 a, 540 b, 540 c and 540 d of the bottom chassis370. The engaging projections 330 i, 330 j, 330 k, 330 l, 330 d, 330 c,330 b, 330 a, 330 h, 330 g, 330 f and 330 e are inwardly extended fromsidewalls of the mold frame 330.

The mold frame 330 is combined with the bottom chassis 370 to cover anouter wall of the bottom chassis 370 by engaging the engagingprojections 330 i, 330 j, 330 k, 330 l, 330 d, 330 c, 330 b, 330 a, 330h, 330 g, 330 f and 330 e into the engaging holes 510 a, 510 b, 520 a,520 b, 530 a, 530 b, 530 c, 530 d, 540 a, 540 b, 540 c and 540 d,respectively. Thus, it is able to prevent the optical sheet 340, thelight guiding plate 350 and the reflecting plate 360 from being moved inthe receiving space of the bottom chassis 370.

Further, the mold frame 330 includes a third supporting member 332 and afourth supporting member 334 corresponding to the first and secondsupporting members 2510 and 2520 of the bottom chassis 370. The thirdand fourth supporting members 332 and 334 are combined with the firstand second guide grooves 350 a and 350 b of the light guiding plate 350along with the first and second supporting members 2510 and 2520,respectively.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a detailed structure of the thirdsupporting member of the mold frame shown in FIG. 8. Referring to FIG.9, the mold frame 330 includes the third supporting member 332corresponding to the first supporting member 2510 of the bottom chassis370. The third supporting member 332 is combined with the first guidegrooves 350 a of the light guiding plate 350 along with the firstsupporting members 2510.

The third supporting member 332 includes a first member 1421 inwardlyprotruded from the sidewall of the mold frame 330, a second member 1422inwardly protruded from the sidewall of the mold frame 330, a thirdmember 1423 extended between the first and the second members 1421 and1422 to form a space defined by the first to third members 1421, 1422and 1423, a fourth member 1424 extended from the third member 1423toward the sidewall of the mold frame 330, a fifth member 1425 extendedfrom the fourth member 1424 in a direction perpendicular to the fourthmember 1424 and a sixth member 1426 extended from the fifth member 1425toward the third member 1423. The fourth supporting member 334 shown inFIG. 8 has a same structure as that of the third supporting member 332.

FIG. 10 is a partially cut cross-sectional view showing a structure ofthe bottom chassis shown in FIG. 6 assembled with the mold frame shownin FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 10, the first and third supporting members 2510 and332 are received in the first guide groove 350 a of the light guidingplate 350, so that the mold frame 330 and the bottom chassis 370 arecombined. A sum of a distance (t1) between the bottom surface of themold frame 330 and an upper surface of the third supporting member 332and a distance (t2) between the bottom surface of the bottom chassis 370and an upper surface of the first supporting member 2510 is identical toa sum of a thickness of each of the reflecting plate 360, the lightguiding plate 350 and the optical sheet 340. Since the first and thirdsupporting members 2510 and 332 are received in the first guide groove350 a to support the light guiding plate 350, it is able to prevent thelight guiding plate 350 received in the receiving space of the bottomchassis 370 from being moved.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a structure of a bottom chassisaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is aperspective view showing a structure of a reflecting plate shown in FIG.3 assembled with the light guiding plate shown in FIG. 11.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the bottom chassis 370 includes a bottomsurface and first to fourth sidewalls 510, 520, 530 and 540. The bottomchassis 370 includes a first supporting member 512 and a secondsupporting member 522 disposed on the first and second sidewalls 510 and520, respectively. The first and second supporting members 512 and 522are inwardly extended from the first and second sidewalls 510 and 520 tohave a predetermined width corresponding to that of the first and secondguide grooves 350 a and 350 b of the light guiding plate 350,respectively. The first and second supporting members 512 and 522 arecombined with the first and second guide grooves 350 a and 350 b,respectively to prevent the light guiding plate 350 received in thebottom chassis 370 from being moved. FIG. 11 shows that the bottomchassis 370 has two supporting members in two sidewalls thereof.However, the bottom chassis 370 may have one or more supporting membersin one or two sidewalls thereof.

The first supporting member 512 includes a first member 512 a inwardlyextended from the first sidewall 510, a second member 512 b inwardlyextended from the first sidewall 510, spacing apart from the firstmember 512 a and a third member 512 c extended between the first andsecond members 512 a and 512 b.

The second supporting member 522 includes a fourth member 522 a inwardlyextended from the second sidewall 520, a fifth member 522 b inwardlyextended from the second sidewall 520, spacing apart from the fourthmember 522 a and a sixth member 522 c extended between the fourth andfifth members 522 a and 522 b. The first and second supporting members512 and 522 prevent the light guiding plate 350 from being moved in thebottom chassis 370.

The bottom chassis 370 includes a plurality of engaging holes 510 a, 510b, 520 a, 520 b, 530 a, 530 b, 530 c, 530 d, 540 a, 540 b, 540 c and 540d in the first to fourth sidewalls 510, 520, 530 and 540.

The bottom chassis 370 includes a first fixing boss 514 disposed on thefirst sidewall 510, a second fixing boss 524 and a third fixing boss 525disposed on the second sidewall 520. The first, second and third fixingbosses 514, 524 and 525 are coupled with the first, second and thirdfixing holes 342 a, 344 a and 346 a of the first to third fixingportions 342, 344 and 346 of the optical sheet 340, respectively.

The light guiding plate 350 is fixed to the receiving space of thebottom chassis 370 by combining the first and second supporting members512 and 522 of the bottom chassis 370 with the first and second guidegrooves 350 a and 350 b of the light guiding plate 350. To prevent thereflecting plate 360 from being moved, an end portion of a rear surfaceof the light guiding plate 350 is adhered to an end portion of an uppersurface of the reflecting plate 360 by an adhesive member 362 as shownin FIG. 12. As the adhesive member 362, an adhesive tape can be used. Asa result, the reflecting plate 360 is integrated with the light guidingplate 350, thereby preventing the reflecting plate 360 from being moved.The adhered region of the light guiding plate 350 and the reflectingplate 360 does not have an effect on a display area of the LCD panel.

The first and second supporting members 512 and 522 have a heightappropriate to prevent the light guiding plate 350 and the reflectingplate 360 received in the bottom chassis 370 from being moved.Accordingly, the first and second supporting members 512 and 522 havethe height identical to a sum of a thickness of each of the lightguiding plate 350 and the reflecting plate 360.

The bottom chassis 370 includes a first lamp insertion portion and asecond lamp insertion portion disposed on the third and fourth sidewalls530 and 540, respectively. The first and second lamp insertion portionscan be formed by partially bending the third and the fourth sidewalls530 and 540 to have a laid U-shape as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11. The firstand the second lamp units 352 and 354 are inserted into the bottomchassis 370 through openings of the first and second lamp insertionportions and adopted to the third and fourth sidewalls 530 and 540,respectively.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views showing a structure of a rear surface of thebottom chassis shown in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, the bottom chassis 370 includes a firstgrounding portion 552, 554 and 556 protruded from the rear surface ofthe bottom chassis 370. The first grounding portion 552, 554 and 556fixes the integrated PCB 325 bent on outer surface of the mold frame 330shown in FIG. 3 to the rear surface of the bottom chassis 370. Theintegrated PCB 325 is grounded through the first grounding portion 552,554 and 556.

The first grounding portion 552, 554 and 556 is in contact with a secondgrounding portion 325 a, 325 b and 325 c disposed in the integrated PCB325. The first grounding portion 552, 554 and 556 and the secondgrounding portion 325 a, 325 b and 325 c include a plurality ofperforation holes. The integrated PCB 325 is fixed to the rear surfaceof the bottom chassis 370 by means of screws engaging into the rearsurface of the bottom chassis 370 through the perforation holes of thefirst and second grounding portions 552, 554, 556, 325 a, 325 b and 325c. The integrated PCB 325 fixed to the rear surface of the bottomchassis 370 is covered by a PCB cover (not shown). A portion of the rearsurface of the bottom chassis 370 except a portion of the first andsecond grounding portions 552, 554, 556, 325 a, 325 b and 325 c iscovered by an insulating member (not shown) such as an insulating tapein order to prevent a circuit part of the integrated PCB 325 from beingelectrically in contact with the bottom chassis 370.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a structure of a rear surface of a moldframe corresponding to the bottom chassis shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 15is an exploded perspective view showing receiving and fixing structuresof the backlight assembly shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 15, the first and second lamp units 352 and 354 areinserted into the first and second lamp insertion portions of the bottomchassis 370. The reflecting plate 360, the light guiding plate 350 andthe optical sheet 340 are sequentially received in the receiving spaceof the bottom chassis 370 and the bottom chassis 370 is combined withthe mold frame 330. The PCB cover 700 covers the integrated PCB 325fixed to the rear surface of the bottom chassis 370.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing receiving and fixingstructures of a display unit shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 16, the display unit 320 is received on themold frame 330. The top chassis 310 is provided on the display unit 320to fix the integrated PCB 325 and the gate TCP 323 to the rear surfaceof the bottom chassis 370. The top chassis 310 includes a bottom surfaceand a sidewall extended from an end portion of the bottom surface in adirection perpendicular to the bottom surface. The bottom surface of thetop chassis 310 is opened to expose an effective display area of the LCDpanel and the sidewall of the top chassis 310 covers an edge of an uppersurface of the LCD panel.

To prevent a plurality of integrated circuits of the gate TCP 323 frombeing damaged due to a direct contact of the plurality of integratedcircuits with the outer surface of the mold frame 330, a plurality ofribs are formed on the sidewall of the mold frame 330 in a predeterminedinterval from each other.

The front case 200 is disposed on the top chassis 310. The front case200 covers the top chassis 310 and the display unit 320 and combineswith the mold frame 330.

FIG. 17A is a perspective view illustrating the PCB cover shown in FIG.15 and FIG. 17B is a view illustrating a structure of the integrated PCBcombined with the bottom chassis.

As shown in FIG. 17A, the PCB cover 700 has a size appropriate to coverthe integrated PCB 325 and a plurality of perforation holes 710, 720 and730 corresponding to the first grounding portion 552, 554 and 556.

Referring to FIGS. 17A and 17B, the first grounding portion 552, 554 and556 disposed on the bottom chassis 370 is coupled to the secondgrounding portion 325 a, 325 b and 325 c to ground the integrated PCB325. The integrated PCB 325 and the PCB cover 700 are fixed to the rearsurface of the bottom chassis 370 by a screw 701 inserted into theperforation holes of the first and second grounding portion and the PCBcover 700.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a structure of a bottom chassisaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 18, the bottom chassis 370 includes a bottom surfaceand first to fourth sidewalls 510, 520, 530 and 540. The bottom chassis370 includes a first supporting member 1512 and a second supportingmember 1522 disposed on the first and second sidewalls 510 and 520,respectively. The first and second supporting members 1512 and 1522 areextended from the first and second sidewalls 510 and 520 to have apredetermined width corresponding to that of the first and second guidegrooves 350 a and 350 b of the light guiding plate 350, respectively.The first and second supporting members 1512 and 1522 are respectivelycombined with the first and second guide grooves 350 a and 350 b of thelight guiding plate 350 to prevent the light guiding plate 350 receivedin the bottom chassis 370 from being moved. Both of the first and secondsupporting members 1512 and 1522 may be formed in only one sidewall ofthe bottom chassis 370 or only one supporting member may be formed inone of the first or second sidewalls 510 and 520.

The first supporting member 1512 includes a first member 1512 a inwardlyextended from the first sidewall 510, a second member 1512 b inwardlyextended from the first sidewall 510, spacing apart from the firstmember 1512 a, a third member 1512 c extended from the first member 1512a toward the second member 1512 b and parallel with the first sidewall510 and a fourth member 1512 d extended from the second member 1512 btoward the first member 1512 a and parallel with the first sidewall 510.

The second supporting member 1522 includes a fifth member 1522 ainwardly extended from the second sidewall 520, a sixth member 1522 binwardly extended from the second sidewall 520, spacing apart from thefifth member 1522 a, a seventh member 1522 c extended from the fifthmember 1522 a toward the sixth member 1522 b and parallel with thesecond sidewall 520 and an eighth member 1522 d extended from the sixthmember 1522 b toward the fifth member 1522 a and parallel with thesecond sidewall 520.

The first supporting member 1512 includes a first opening 1512 e definedby the third and fourth members 1512 c and 1512 d and the secondsupporting member 1522 includes a second opening 1522 e defined by theseventh and eighth members 1522 c and 1522 d. Thus, the bottom chassis370 can be easily manufactured by an injection molding.

The bottom chassis 370 includes a plurality of engaging holes 510 a, 510b, 520 a, 520 b, 530 a, 530 b, 530 c, 530 d, 540 a, 540 b, 540 c and 540d in the first to fourth sidewalls 510, 520, 530 and 540.

The bottom chassis 370 includes a first fixing boss 514 disposed on thefirst sidewall 510, a second fixing boss 524 and a third fixing boss 525disposed on the second sidewall 520. The first, second and third fixingbosses 514, 524 and 525 are coupled with the first, second and thirdfixing holes 342 a, 344 a and 346 a of the first to third fixingportions 342, 344 and 346 of the optical sheet 340, respectively.

The optical sheet 340 is fixed to the receiving space of the bottomchassis 370 by combining the first to the third fixing bosses 514, 524and 525 with the first to third fixing holes 342 a, 344 a and 346 a. Anumber of fixing bosses disposed on the first sidewall 510 can be thesame as or different from a number of fixing bosses disposed on thesecond sidewall 520. Hereinafter, a method for assembling the LCDapparatus according to the present invention will be described withreference to FIGS. 3 to 12.

The first and second lamp units 352 and 354 are inserted into the bottomchassis 370 through the openings of the first and second lamp insertionportions at the third and fourth sidewalls 530 and 540 of the bottomchassis 370, respectively.

The light guiding plate 350 is received in the receiving space of thebottom chassis 370 along with the reflecting plate 360. The reflectingplate 360 is partially adhered to an edge of the light guiding plate350. The light guiding plate 350 is fixed to the bottom chassis 370 bycombining the first and second supporting members 512 and 522 of thebottom chassis 370 with the first and second guide grooves 350 a and 350b of the light guiding plate 350, respectively.

The optical sheet 340 is sequentially received on the bottom chassis 370by engaging the first to third fixing bosses 514, 524 and 525 of thebottom chassis 370 into the first to third fixing holes 342 a, 344 a and346 a of the optical sheet 340, thereby preventing the optical sheet 340from being moved.

The bottom chassis 370 includes an A/D board (not shown) and an inverterboard (not shown) disposed on the rear surface of the bottom chassis370.

The mold frame 330 is combined with the bottom chassis 370 to preventthe reflecting plate 360, the light guiding plate 350 and the opticalsheet 340 from being deviated from the receiving space of the bottomchassis 370. Specifically, the mold frame 330 is combined with thebottom chassis 370 to cover an outer wall of the bottom chassis 370 byengaging the engaging projections 330 i, 330 j, 330 k, 330 l, 330 d, 330c, 330 b, 330 a, 330 h, 330 g, 330 f and 330 e into the engaging holes510 a, 510 b, 520 a, 520 b, 530 a, 530 b, 530 c, 530 d, 540 a, 540 b,540 c and 540 d, respectively.

The display unit 320 is received on the mold frame 330, and the topchassis 310 is provided on the display unit 320 to fix the integratedPCB 325 and the gate TCP 323 to the rear surface of the bottom chassis370 after bending and fixing the integrated PCB 325 and the gate TCP 323on the outer wall of the mold frame 330. The integrated PCB 325 iscovered by the PCB cover 700.

As shown in FIG. 3, the front case 200 is coupled to the rear case 400,so that an assembly of the LCD apparatus is completed.

According to the LCD apparatus, the bottom chassis receives thebacklight assembly, so that a bottom mold frame for receiving thebacklight assembly may be removed. Thus, it is able to reduce amanufacturing cost and a weight of the LCD apparatus.

Further, since heat generated from the lamp units is easily emitted toan external through the bottom chassis having a thermal conductivityhigher than that of the bottom mold frame, it is able to prevent theimage displayed through the LCD apparatus from being deteriorated.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is understood that the present invention should not belimited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes andmodifications can be made by one of ordinary skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention ashereinafter claimed.

1. An LCD apparatus comprising: a displaying unit to receive a light andto display an image; a light guiding unit to guide the light to thedisplaying unit, the light guiding unit including a supporting recess; abrightness increasing unit to increase a brightness of the light guidedby the light guiding unit; a receiving unit having a bottom surface,four sidewalls, and at least one first supporting member which isdisposed on at least one sidewall, the receiving unit receiving thelight guiding unit and the brightness increasing unit, the firstsupporting member being coupled to the supporting recess to guide thelight guiding unit to a receiving position; and a fixing unit coupled tothe receiving unit.
 2. The LCD apparatus of claim 1, further comprisingat least one light generating unit to generate the light, the lightgenerating unit being disposed on at least one sidewall of the receivingunit.
 3. The LCD apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sidewall on which thelight generating unit is disposed is different from the sidewall onwhich the first supporting member is disposed.
 4. The LCD apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the receiving unit further comprises at least onefixing boss protruded from an upper surface of the sidewall, to guidethe brightness increasing unit to the receiving position.
 5. The LCDapparatus of claim 4, wherein the brightness increasing unit furthercomprises a fixing portion having a fixing hole coupled to the fixingboss.
 6. The LCD apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving unitfurther comprises an engaging hole in at least one sidewall of the foursidewalls.
 7. The LCD apparatus of claim 6, wherein the fixing unitfurther comprises an engaging boss coupled to the engaging hole of thereceiving unit.
 8. The LCD apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstsupporting member has an engaging hole.
 9. The LCD apparatus of claim 8,wherein the fixing unit further comprises a second supporting membercorresponding to the first supporting member, to guide the light guidingunit to the receiving position along with the first supporting member.10. The LCD apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first supporting membercomprises: a first member inwardly extended from the sidewall; a secondmember inwardly extended from the sidewall, spacing apart from the firstmember; and a third member extended between the first and secondmembers.
 11. The LCD apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first supportingmember comprises: a first member inwardly extended from the sidewall; asecond member inwardly extended from the sidewall, spacing apart fromthe first member; a third member extended from an open end of the firstmember towards the second member; and a fourth member extended from anopen end of the second member towards the first member.
 12. The LCDapparatus of claim 1, wherein the displaying unit comprises: an LCDpanel to receive the light from the brightness increasing unit and todisplay the image; and a printed circuit board electrically connected tothe LCD panel, to drive the LCD panel, wherein the displaying unit isdisposed on the fixing unit and the printed circuit board is extended tosurround one end of the fixing unit and fixed to the rear surface of thereceiving unit.
 13. The LCD apparatus of claim 12, wherein the receivingunit comprises at least one first grounding portion disposed on the rearsurface thereof.
 14. The LCD apparatus of claim 13, wherein the printedcircuit board comprises a second grounding portion electricallyconnected with the first grounding portion of the receiving unit. 15.The LCD apparatus of claim 14, wherein an insulating member is adheredto a region where the first grounding portion is not connected with thesecond grounding portion.
 16. The LCD apparatus of claim 1, wherein thereceiving unit is made of a conductive material.
 17. An LCD apparatuscomprising: a light generating unit to generate a light; a displayingunit to receive the light and to display an image using a liquid crystaldisposed therein; a light guiding unit to guide the light to thedisplaying unit; a brightness increasing unit to increase a brightnessof the light and providing the light to the displaying unit; a receivingunit having a bottom surface, four sidewalls, and at least one firstsupporting member disposed on at least one sidewall, the receiving unitsequentially receiving the light generating unit, the light guiding unitand the brightness increasing unit, the first supporting member beinginwardly extended to guide the light guiding unit to a receivingposition; and a fixing unit having a second supporting member coupled tothe first supporting member, the fixing unit fixing the light generatingunit, the light guiding unit and the brightness increasing unit to thereceiving unit.
 18. The LCD apparatus of claim 17, wherein the lightguiding unit comprises a supporting recess corresponding to the firstsupporting member of the receiving unit.
 19. The LCD apparatus of claim17, wherein the first supporting member comprises an engaging hole. 20.The LCD apparatus of claim 17, wherein the receiving unit furthercomprises at least one fixing boss on an upper surface of the sidewall,to guide the brightness increasing unit to the receiving position. 21.The LCD apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fixing unit is coupled to thereceiving unit to fix the light guiding unit.
 22. An LCD apparatuscomprising: a displaying unit to receive light and to display an image;a light guiding unit to guide the light to the displaying unit; abrightness increasing unit to increase a brightness of the light guidedby the light guiding unit, the brightness increasing unit including afirst fixing member; a receiving unit including a bottom surface, foursidewalls, and at least one second fixing member disposed on at leastone sidewall, the receiving unit receiving the light guiding unit andthe brightness increasing unit, the second fixing member being combinedwith the first fixing member to fix the brightness increasing unit; anda fixing unit coupled to the receiving unit.
 23. The LCD apparatus ofclaim 22, wherein the fixing unit is coupled to the receiving unit tofix the light guiding unit.
 24. The LCD apparatus of claim 22, whereinthe first fixing member comprises a fixing hole.
 25. The LCD apparatusof claim 22, wherein the second fixing member comprises a fixing boss.26. The LCD apparatus of claim 22, wherein the light guiding unitcomprises a supporting recess.
 27. The LCD apparatus of claim 26,wherein the receiving unit further comprises at least one firstsupporting member disposed on at least one sidewall, the firstsupporting member being coupled to the supporting recess to guide thelight guiding unit to a receiving position.